Olympus SP-310 User Manual

DIGITAL CAMERA
SP-310 SP-350
Thank you for purchasing an Olympus digital camera. Before you start to use your
new camera, please read these instructions carefully to enjoy optimum performance and a longer service life. Keep this manual in a safe place for future reference.
We recommend that you take test shots to get accustomed to your camera before
taking important photographs.
In the interest of continually improving products, Olympus reserves the right to update
or modify information contained in this manual.
Detailed explanations of all the functions for getting the most out of your camera.
Basic Operation
Basic Shooting
Advanced Shooting
Playing Back
Printing
Online Pictures
Camera Settings

How to use this manual

(About the SP-310 and SP-350
This reference manual is for both the SP-310 and SP-350. The camera illustrations shown in this manual are based on the SP-350. The model name is specified when a function or configuration is unique to one model.
(Basic and Advanced Manuals
The instruction manual accompanying this camera is divided into two parts: the Basic Manual and the Advanced Manual (this document).
Basic Manual
Advanced Manual
(Indications used in this manual
Below is an explanation of how to read the instructions in this manual. Please read it carefully before proceeding.
Note
Important information on factors which may lead to a malfunction or operational problems. Also warns of operations that should be absolutely avoided.
TIPS
Useful information and hints that will help you get the most out of your camera.
g
Reference pages describing details or associated information.
This manual gives you easy-to-follow explanations on how to take pictures and view them so that you can get started quickly. Go ahead and take some pictures! You will also find information on the camera’s main functions as well as how to make prints and enjoy your pictures on a computer.
This manual introduces you to the camera’s many functions after you have mastered the basics. It will help you to use the camera’s capabilities to take much more creative pictures, with more fun!
2

Composition of the manual

You’ll find important points for getting the most out of your camera here. Read this part before taking pictures.
Explanations of techniques from basic to advanced, giving you an understanding of all the functions related to taking pictures.
To view, edit and sort the pictures you have taken.
Settings to make your camera easier to use.
To print the pictures you have taken.
Basic operation
Tips before you start taking pictures
Basic shooting functions
Advanced shooting functions
Additional shooting functions
Playback
Settings
Printing pictures
P. 9
P. 21
P. 36
P. 53
P. 69
P. 78
P. 108
P. 123
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
To enjoy the pictures you have taken on a computer. To use OLYMPUS Master.
Troubleshooting. For when you want to know the names of parts, see a list of menus, or find what you are looking for.
The title page of each chapter gives a short description of the contents. Be sure to check it out.
Connecting the camera to a computer
Appendix
Miscellaneous
P. 139
P. 155
P. 176
3
9
10
11
Table of Contents
How to use this manual....................................................................... 2
Composition of the manual ................................................................. 3
1 Basic operation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -9
Mode dial........................................................................................... 10
Direct buttons .................................................................................... 12
Using the direct buttons in shooting mode .................................. 12
Using the direct buttons in playback mode ................................. 13
Menus ............................................................................................... 14
About the menus ......................................................................... 14
Using the menus ......................................................................... 17
Using the GUIDE function ........................................................... 19
How to read the procedure pages..................................................... 20
2 Tips before you start taking pictures - - - - - -21
Turning the camera on and off.......................................................... 22
When to use the monitor and viewfinder........................................... 23
If the correct focus cannot be obtained............................................. 24
How to focus (focus lock) ............................................................ 24
Subjects that are difficult to focus on .......................................... 25
Record mode ............................................................................. 26
Still picture record modes............................................................ 26
Movie record modes.................................................................... 28
Number of storable still pictures/remaining recording time ......... 28
Changing the record mode.......................................................... 31
The internal memory and memory card ............................................ 33
The card ...................................................................................... 34
Inserting and removing the card.................................................. 34
3 Basic shooting functions- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 36
Selecting a scene mode according to the situation........................... 37
Zooming in on your subject ............................................................... 41
Using the zoom ........................................................................... 41
Using the digital zoom................................................................. 41
Using macro/super macro mode ..................................... 42
Flash shooting .............................................................................. 43
Flash intensity control .......................................................... 45
Synchro ......................................................................... 46
Selecting the flash ( FLASH)........................................................ 47
Using the external flash (optional) (SP-350)............................... 47
4
Table of Contents
Using commercially available external flashes (SP-350) ............ 48
Using the slave flash ................................................................... 49
Recording movies ....................................................................... 50
Camera movement compensation ....................................... 51
Recording sound with movies ................................................ 52
4 Advanced shooting functions - - - - - - - - - - - 53
Changing the aperture value for shooting pictures ...................... 54
Changing the shutter speed for shooting pictures ....................... 55
Changing the aperture value and
shutter speed for shooting pictures ................................. 56
My Mode ..................................................................................... 56
Focusing applications........................................................................ 57
AF mode (iESP/SPOT/AREA)..................................................... 57
Manual focus (FOCUS MODE) ........................................... 58
Fulltime AF .................................................................................. 59
AF lock ................................................................................... 59
AF illuminator .............................................................................. 60
Changing the area for measuring the brightness of a subject
(ESP/ ).............................................................................. 61
AE lock ...................................................................................... 61
Changing ISO sensitivity (ISO) ......................................................... 63
Changing picture brightness ....................................................... 63
Adjusting the white balance ..................................................... 64
White balance compensation ............................................. 66
Adjusting a picture for recording
(SHARPNESS/CONTRAST/SATURATION) ........ 67
Reducing picture noise (NOISE REDUCTION) ......................... 68
5 Additional shooting functions - - - - - - - - - - -69
Sequential shooting .................................... 70
Timelapse shooting ..................................................................... 71
Self-timer shooting ..................................................................... 72
Panorama shooting ........................................................................... 73
Recording sound with still pictures ............................................... 74
Changing the monitor display (DISP./GUIDE) .................................. 75
Histogram ............................................................................. 76
Frame assist................................................................................ 77
5
Table of Contents
6 Playback - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 78
Playing back still pictures ........................................................... 79
Playing back pictures in a calendar (CALENDAR)...................... 80
Picture rotation ...................................................................... 80
Playing back movies .................................................................. 81
Selecting the position to begin movie playback
(INDEX PLAY)....................................................................... 82
Playing back albums ................................................................... 83
Adding pictures to an album (ALBUM ENTRY)........................... 83
Viewing pictures in albums (SEL. ALBUM) ................................. 85
Selecting an album cover (SELECT TITLE IMAGE) ................... 86
Undoing album entries (UNDO ENTRY)..................................... 87
Erasing pictures from albums ................................................ 88
Slideshow .................................................................................. 89
Adding sound to still pictures ....................................................... 91
Editing still pictures (RAW DATA EDIT/ / /REDEYE FIX/
BLACK & WHITE/SEPIA)...................................................... 92
Creating composite pictures
(FRAME/TITLE/CALENDAR/LAYOUT) ................................ 95
Adjusting pictures (BRIGHTNESS/SATURATION)........................... 98
Editing movies................................................................................... 99
Creating an index...................................................................... 100
Editing a movie.......................................................................... 101
Playing back pictures on a TV......................................................... 102
Video output .............................................................................. 103
Protecting pictures ................................................................... 104
Copying pictures in the internal memory to the card (BACKUP)..... 104
Erasing pictures .................................................................. 105
Single-frame erase .............................................................. 106
All-frame erase .................................................................. 106
Formatting the internal memory or card
(MEMORY FORMAT/FORMAT) .............................. 107
7 Settings- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 108
Resetting the settings to the default (RESET) ................................ 109
Selecting a display language ................................................ 109
Changing the startup screen and shutdown screen
(PW ON SETUP/PW OFF SETUP)..................................... 110
Screen setup ............................................................................. 110
Viewing pictures immediately (REC VIEW)..................................... 111
6
Table of Contents
Setting camera sounds
( /BEEP/SHUTTER SOUND/VOLUME) ......................... 112
Resetting file names (FILE NAME) ................................................. 113
Adjusting the image processing function (PIXEL MAPPING) ......... 114
Adjusting the monitor brightness ............................................. 115
Setting the date and time ........................................................ 116
Setting the date and time in another time zone
(DUAL TIME SETUP) .................................................... 117
Setting the measurement unit (m/ft)................................................ 118
Customizing the camera (MY MODE SETUP/SHORT CUT/
CUSTOM BUTTON) ................................................ 118
8 Printing pictures - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 123
Direct printing (PictBridge) .............................................................. 124
Using the direct printing function............................................... 124
Printing pictures (EASY PRINT)................................................ 125
Printing pictures (CUSTOM PRINT).......................................... 126
Other print modes and print settings ......................................... 130
If an error message is displayed ............................................... 133
Print settings (DPOF) ................................................................ 134
How to make print reservations ................................................. 134
Single-frame reservation ..................................................... 136
All-frame reservation .......................................................... 137
Resetting print reservation data .......................................... 138
9 Connecting the camera to a computer - - - - 139
Flow................................................................................................. 140
Using OLYMPUS Master ................................................................ 141
What is OLYMPUS Master? ...................................................... 141
Installing OLYMPUS Master ..................................................... 142
Connecting the camera to a computer ............................................ 146
Starting up OLYMPUS Master ........................................................ 147
Displaying camera images on a computer ...................................... 149
Downloading and saving images .............................................. 149
Viewing still pictures and movies .................................................... 151
Printing pictures .............................................................................. 152
To download and save images to a computer without
using OLYMPUS Master ..................................................... 154
7
Table of Contents
10 Appendix - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 155
Troubleshooting .............................................................................. 156
Error messages......................................................................... 156
Troubleshooting ........................................................................ 158
Camera care ................................................................................... 165
Batteries .......................................................................................... 166
Accessories (optional)..................................................................... 167
AC adapter................................................................................ 167
Using commercially available external flashes.......................... 168
Safety Precautions .......................................................................... 169
Glossary of terms ............................................................................ 173
11 Miscellaneous - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 176
Menu list.......................................................................................... 177
List of factory default settings.......................................................... 186
Functions available in shooting modes and scenes........................ 188
Index ............................................................................................... 191
8

1 Basic operation

OK
HOLD
RESET
00:36
HQ
Basic operation

Are you ever overwhelmed by all of the advanced shooting and editing functions? Professional photographers use these functions to achieve a variety of effects. Now you too can achieve such effects simply by pressing the buttons on your digital camera. You can use the various functions available to adjust the brightness and white balance of your pictures, alter the focusing range, and much more. Just display a menu on the monitor and use the buttons to choose a setting. Familiarize yourself with the buttons and menus before reading the explanations of the various functions.
CAMERAMEM PIC
SET
RESET
MODE MENU
OK
HOLD
ESP
DRIVE
/
ISO 1/2/3/4
1
ESP OFF
AUTO
HQ
Movies
00:36
00:36
Sequential shooting
9

Mode dial

This camera features a shooting mode and a playback mode. Use the mode dial to make settings. Set the desired mode and turn the camera on.
1
Shooting modes
Set the mode dial to one of these positions to take pictures or movies.
Basic operation
Playback mode
Set the mode dial to this position to view pictures or movies.
(About the mode dial
h
This function allows you to take pictures with full automatic settings.
The camera automatically sets the optimum aperture value and
P
shutter speed for the brightness of the subject.
This function allows you to set the aperture manually. The
A
camera sets the shutter speed automatically. g“Changing the aperture value for shooting pictures” (P. 54)
This function allows you to set the shutter speed manually. The
S
camera sets the aperture automatically. g“Changing the
Shooting
modes
Playback
mode
shutter speed for shooting pictures” (P. 55)
This function allows you to set the aperture and shutter speed
M
manually. g“Changing the aperture value and shutter speed for shooting pictures” (P. 56)
This function allows you to set your own shooting parameters
r
and register them as your original mode. g“My Mode” (P. 56)
This function allows you to select from 24 situation-related
f
modes set to the shooting conditions.
g“Selecting a scene mode according to the situation” (P. 37)
n
This function lets you record movies. g“Recording movies” (P. 50)
This function allows you to play back still pictures or movies.
q
You can also play back sound. g“Playback” (P. 78)
TIPS
Direct button functions and menu contents vary depending on the position of the mode dial. g“Direct buttons” (P. 12), “Menus” (P. 14), “Menu list” (P. 177)
• You can change the mode before and after turning the camera on.
10
Mode dial
Mode dial notation
In this manual, the following icons indicate the position of the mode dial necessary for operating functions.
This indicates an operation when the mode dial is set to n.
This indicates an operation when the mode dial is set to any of the following modes: hPASMrfn.
1
Basic operation
11

Direct buttons

1600
1200
SQ1
0.0
F4.0
1/200
This camera features buttons for setting functions directly. The direct buttons have different functions in shooting mode and in playback mode.
1

Using the direct buttons in shooting mode

1
2
Basic operation
3 4
5
# button (Flash mode) gP. 43
1
Selects the flash mode.
[ button (AE lock)/Custom button gP. 61, P. 118
2
Locks the exposure. The lock function is alternately activated and canceled each time you press the button. Frequently used functions can be assigned to the custom button. The assigned function setting changes each time you press the button. The screen on the right shows when [DRIVE] is assigned to the custom button.
DISP./GUIDE button gP. 19, P. 75
3
Select a menu item, and press this button to display an explanation of its function. Press this button repeatedly to display the lines and histogram. Also press the DISP./GUIDE button to turn off the monitor.
QUICK VIEW button gP. 79
4
The last picture taken is displayed on the monitor. All the functions in playback mode are available. To return to shooting mode, press the QUICK VIEW button or press the shutter button halfway.
Z button (OK/MENU) gP. 14
5
Displays the top menu of shooting mode.
1/200
SQ1
×
F4.0
1200
0.0
441600
12
Direct buttons
SQ1
12
30
ISO
400
1/1 00
1600
1200
SIZE
100
0004
SQ1
12
30
100
0004
SQ1
12
ISO
400
1/1 00
F4. 0

Using the direct buttons in playback mode

1
2
3
4
S button (Erase) gP. 88, P. 105
1
Erases pictures displayed on the monitor.
< button (Print) gP. 125
2
Prints pictures displayed on the monitor.
DISP./GUIDE button gP. 19
3
Select a menu item, and press this button to display an explanation of its function. Press this button repeatedly during playback to change the display in the following order. The histogram is not displayed while displaying movies.
The playback screen is
displayed.
100
-
’0505.
0909.
0004
2626 12
SQ1
:
30
4
Detailed camera information is
displayed.
-
100
0004 :
SIZE
F4F4.
0
’0505.
0909.
1600
ISO
2626 12
1
Basic operation
SQ1
1200
×
2.01/100
+
400
:
30
4
SQ1
F4.0
1/100
2.0
+
ISO
400
0909.
2626 12
:
30304
Only f is displayed.
’0505.
The histogram is displayed.
Z button (OK/MENU) gP. 14
4
Displays the top menu of playback mode.
13

Menus

OK
HOLD
RESET
Set the mode dial to any mode and press Z to display the menus on the monitor. Menus are used to make each camera setting.
1
Mode dial
Basic operation
Press Z

About the menus

The menu items displayed in shooting mode and playback mode differ.
Top menu
Menus are divided into shortcut menus and mode menus.
MODE MENU
OK
RESET
Shortcut menus
For setting menu items directly. Settings are categorized by function
TIPS
• Press and hold down Z on the top menu to jump directly to one of the following
functions. Shooting mode (except r)
The [RESET] screen is displayed. g“Resetting the settings to the default (RESET)” (P. 109)
Playback mode
The [ALBUM ENTRY] screen is displayed. g“Adding pictures to an album (ALBUM ENTRY)” (P. 83)
Album playback mode
The [UNDO ENTRY] screen is displayed. g“Undoing album entries (UNDO ENTRY)” (P. 87)
HOLD
Mode menu
into tabs.
14
Shortcut menus
OK
HOLD
RESET
OK
HOLD
RESET
OK
HOLD
ALBUM ENTRY
OK
HOLD
ALBUM ENTRY
OK
HOLD
UNDO ENTRY
OK
HOLD
UNDO ENTRY
Shooting mode
(
(default value)
Menus
1
Basic operation
For moviesFor still pictures
MODE MENU
OK
RESET
HOLD
(Playback mode
EDIT
ALBUM
ALBUM ENTRY
In album playback mode
CLOSE ALBUM
UNDO ENTRY
MODE MENU
CALENDAR
OK
ALBUM MENU
SEL. ALBUM
OK
HOLD
HOLD
gP. 72
gP. 42
gP. 26
DIGITAL ZOOM
MODE MENU
OK
RESET
HOLD
gP. 41
gP. 51
gP. 26
For moviesFor still pictures
gP. 92
95, 98
gP. 80
MOVIE PLAY
ALBUM
CALENDAR
ALBUM ENTRY
MODE MENU
OK
HOLD
gP. 81
gP. 80
gP. 83 gP. 83
For moviesFor still pictures
gP. 89 gP. 81
gP. 85
MOVIE PLAY
CLOSE ALBUM
SEL. ALBUM
UNDO ENTRY
ALBUM MENU
OK
HOLD
gP. 85
gP. 86 gP. 86
TIPS
• The shortcut menus can also be accessed from the mode menu. Also, you can
change short cut menus in any mode other than h, n, and q. g“Customizing the camera (MY MODE SETUP/SHORT CUT/CUSTOM BUTTON)” (P. 118)
15
Menus
Mode menu
1
(
Shooting mode
/
DRIVE
ISO 1/2/3/4
ESP OFF
AUTO
Basic operation
CAMERA
ESP
CAMERAMEM PIC
SET
For setting shooting-related functions.
tab
PICTURE tab
MEMORY/ CARD tab
For setting picture-related functions, such as record mode and white balance.
For formatting internal memory or a card. Also saves internal memory data to a card.
SETUP tab For setting basic camera functions and settings that make the camera
easier to use.
(Playback mode
OFF
PLAY
EDITMEM
SET
PLAY tab For setting playback-related functions.
EDIT tab For editing saved pictures. The same screen is displayed when
[EDIT] is selected from the top menu.
MEMORY/ CARD tab
For formatting internal memory or a card, and erasing all image data. Also saves internal memory data to a card.
SETUP tab For setting basic camera functions and settings that make the camera
easier to use.
°
0
TIPS
• The [MEMORY] tab is displayed when the internal memory is in use. The [CARD] tab is displayed when a card is inserted in the camera.
• For a list of mode menu items, see “Menu list” (P. 177).
16
Menus
OK
HOLD
RESET

Using the menus

Use the arrow pad and Z to set menu items. Follow the operation guide and arrows on the screen to select and change settings.
Ex: Setting [ISO]
Mode dial
srpq buttons Z button
1 Set the mode dial to any of the following modes:
PASMrfn.
2 Press Z.
• The top menu is displayed.
Top menu
3 Press q to select [MODE MENU].
RESET
MODE MENU
OK
HOLD
This refers to the arrow pad (srpq).
4 Press sr to select the
[CAMERA] tab, and press q.
• Refer to the arrows on the screen to select and make settings with the arrow pad.
This refers to the arrow pad (qr).
ESP
CAMERAMEM PIC
SET
/
DRIVE
ISO 1/2/3/4
ESP OFF
AUTO
1
Basic operation
17
Menus
5 Press sr to select the [ISO],
1
and press q.
• Refer to the arrows on the screen to select and make settings with the arrow pad.
• Unavailable settings cannot be selected.
Basic operation
The selected item is displayed in a different color.
6 Press sr to select [AUTO],
[64], [100], [200], or [400], and press Z.
•Press Z repeatedly to exit the menu.
TIPS
• The operation guide displayed at the bottom of the screen depends on the menu to be set. In this case, follow the operation guide to set or change settings using the arrow pad.
CAMERAMEM
PIC
SET
Press q to go on to the following setting.
CAMERAMEM
PIC
SET
ESP
DRIVE
ISO
1/2/3/4
ESP
DRIVE
ISO
1/2/3/4
OFF
1
2
/
/
ESP OFF
AUTO
AUTO
64 100 200 400
BEEP
LOW HIGH
Operation guide
Press psr to select a setting.
Press Z to finalize the setting.
SELECT
Menu operation notation
In this manual, procedures for using the menus are expressed as follows:
• Ex: Steps 1 to 5 for setting [ISO]
Top menu [MODE MENU] [CAMERA] [ISO]
18
GO
OK
Menus

Using the GUIDE function

This camera has a GUIDE function. Pressing the DISP./GUIDE button during menu display in shooting mode or playback mode automatically displays a menu guide explaining the menus.
1 With a menu selected, hold down
the DISP./GUIDE button.
• The menu explanation is displayed.
• Release the DISP./GUIDE button to close the menu guide.
When [FILE NAME] is selected
FILE NAME
Sets the format for naming folders and files that are to be saved to a new card.
1
Basic operation
19

How to read the procedure pages

A sample of a procedure page is shown below explaining the notation. Look at it carefully before taking or viewing pictures.
1
This indicates the position of the mode dial. If multiple icons are displayed, the described function can be used in any of these modes. g“Mode dial” (P. 10), “Mode dial notation” (P. 11)
Basic operation
Select the menus in the order indicated by . g“Using the menus” (P. 17), “Menu operation notation” (P. 18)
Procedures differ for h mode, n mode, and album playback mode.
This sample page is only for your reference. It may differ from the actual page in this manual.
20

2 Tips before you start taking pictures

SHQ
SQ2
Tips before you start taking pictures

Your pictures are almost guaranteed to come out well just by setting the mode dial to h and pressing the shutter button. But occasionally, you can’t focus on your subject, the subject is too dark, or the picture doesn’t come out the way you want. Just knowing which button to press or which setting to change can help you solve these problems. And did you know that by selecting an image size according to how you plan to use the pictures afterwards, you can store more pictures in the internal memory and on the memory card? These are just some of the hints provided in this chapter.
2
Printing applications
Ideas
Ideas
SHQ
SHQ
Online applications
SQ2
SQ2
21

Turning the camera on and off

Press the POWER button to turn the camera on.
2
Monitor
(Turning the camera on
Set the mode dial to any mode, and press the POWER button.
• The monitor turns on.
• When you turn on the camera in shooting mode, the lens extends.
(Turning the camera off
Press the POWER button.
• The monitor turns off.
Tips before you start taking pictures
• The lens retracts.
TIPS
• The screen on the right is displayed when the date and time setting has returned to the factory default setting. Setting the date and time makes your pictures easier to manage, such as when you view them with calendar display. g“Setting the date and time” (P. 116)
POWER button
Mode dial
Y/M/D
22

When to use the monitor and viewfinder

You can take pictures using either the monitor or the viewfinder. Use the one that is most apt for the situation. To turn the monitor on or off, press the g“Direct buttons” (P. 12)
Monitor Viewfinder
You can check the picture area
Advantages
Disadvantages
Tips
Viewfinder
that the camera actually records.
Camera movement occurs easily and subjects may be difficult to see in bright/dark places. The monitor uses more battery power than the viewfinder.
Use the monitor when you need to know the exact area the camera records, or to take a close-up of a person or flower (macro shooting).
• The camera records a wider area than the image in the viewfinder.
• As you get closer to the subject, the actual image recorded (the shaded area in the illustration on the left) differs slightly from the image in the viewfinder.
TIPS
When the monitor darkens
j If the camera is not used for 10 seconds or more, the monitor darkens
slightly. After that, if the camera is not used for 3 minutes or more, the monitor turns off automatically. Press the shutter button or use the zoom lever to turn the monitor on.
To adjust the brightness of the monitor
j Adjust the brightness with the [s] settings. g“Adjusting the monitor
brightness” (P. 115)
When the monitor is hard to see
j Bright light, such as direct sunlight, may cause vertical lines (smears) to
appear on the image in the monitor. This does not affect recorded pictures.
DISP./GUIDE button several times.
Camera movement does not occur easily and subjects can be seen clearly even in bright places. Little battery power is used.
When close to a subject, the image in the viewfinder differs slightly from the picture that the camera actually records.
Use the viewfinder for general snapshots, landscape pictures and other casual shots.
2
Tips before you start taking pictures
Note
• When a conversion lens is attached to the camera, vignetting may occur in the viewfinder so use the monitor.
23

If the correct focus cannot be obtained

1600
1200
SQ1
0.0
F4.0
1/200
1600
1200
SQ1
F4.0
1/200
0.0
The camera automatically detects the focus target in the frame. The level of contrast is one of the criteria it uses to detect the subject. The camera may fail to determine subjects with lower contrast than the surroundings or with an area of extremely strong contrast in the frame. If this happens, the simplest solution is to use the focus lock.
2

How to focus (focus lock)

1 Position the AF target mark on
the subject you want to focus on.
• When shooting a hard-to-focus or fast­moving subject, focus the camera on an object about the same distance away as the subject.
2 Press the shutter button halfway
Tips before you start taking pictures
until the green lamp lights.
• The green lamp lights when the focus and exposure are locked.
• When the green lamp blinks, the focus and exposure are not locked. Release your finger from the shutter button, re-position the AF target mark on the subject and press the shutter button halfway again.
3 Keeping the shutter button
pressed halfway, recompose your shot.
4 Press the shutter button fully.
• The camera takes the picture. The orange lamp blinks while the picture is recorded.
1/200
SQ1
AF target mark
Shutter button
Green lamp
1/200
SQ1
Shutter button
×
×
F4.0
1200
F4.0
1200
0.0
441600
0.0
441600
24
If the correct focus cannot be obtained
TIPS
To focus on the subject in the center of the frame
g“AF mode (iESP/SPOT/AREA)” (P. 57)
When the frame in which you focus on a subject is different from the frame in which you lock the exposure
g“AE lock” (P. 61)
To fix the focus
g“AF lock” (P. 59)
Note
• Press the shutter button gently. If it is pressed forcefully, the camera may move causing the picture to blur.
• Never remove the batteries or disconnect the AC adapter while the orange lamp on the side of the viewfinder is blinking. Doing so could destroy stored pictures and prevent storage of pictures you have just taken.
• Recorded pictures are saved in the camera regardless of whether the camera is turned off or the batteries are replaced or removed.
• When taking pictures against strong backlight, the area of the picture in shadow may appear colored.
• When a conversion lens is attached to the camera, the edges of the picture may appear dark. Check the recorded image on the monitor.

Subjects that are difficult to focus on

Under certain types of conditions, the auto focus may not work properly.
The green lamp blinks. The subject cannot be brought into focus.
The green lamp lights, but the subject cannot be brought into focus.
In these cases, focus (focus lock) on an object with high contrast at the same distance as the intended subject, recompose your shot and then take the picture. If the subject has no vertical lines, hold the camera vertically and focus the camera using the focus lock function by pressing the shutter button halfway, then return the camera to the horizontal position while keeping the button pressed halfway and take the picture.
Subject with low contrast
Subjects at different distances
Subject with an extremely bright area in the center of the frame
Fast-moving subject
Subject without vertical lines
The subject is not in the center of the frame
25
2
Tips before you start taking pictures

Record mode

You can select a record mode in which to take pictures or shoot movies. Select the best record mode for your purpose (printing, editing on a computer, website editing, etc.). For information on the image sizes for each record mode and the number of storable still pictures/movie recording time, see the tables on P. 28 to 30.
2

Still picture record modes

Still pictures (other than those in raw data format) are recorded in JPEG format. Record mode depicts the image size and compression rate of your pictures. Pictures are made from thousands of dots (pixels). If a picture with relatively few pixels is enlarged, it looks like a mosaic. Pictures with more pixels are denser and clearer but require more space (larger file size), thus decreasing the number of pictures that can be saved. Though a high compression rate results in a small file size, this also produces a grainy look.
Picture with high number of pixels
Tips before you start taking pictures
(Normal image modes
Application
Select according
to print size
For small-sized
prints and
websites
Image size becomes larger
26
Image size
Picture with low number of pixels
Compression
3072 × 2304 (SP-310) 3264 × 2448 (SP-350)
2592 × 1944
2288 × 1712
2048 × 1536
1600 × 1200
1280 × 960
1024 × 768
640 × 480
Image becomes clearer
Low com-
pression
HIGH
HIGH
High com-
pression
SHQ HQ
SQ1
SQ2
SQ1
NORMAL
SQ2
NORMAL
Record mode
3264
2176
HQ
F4.0
1/200
0.0
Image size
The number of pixels (horizontal × vertical) used when saving an image. You can save your pictures at a large image size to get clearer prints. However, as the image size increases, the file size (data size) also increases, which decreases the number of pictures that can be saved.
Compression
In record modes other than [RAW], pictures are compressed and saved. The higher the compression, the less clear the image will be.
(Special record modes
Record mode Features
RAW
3:2
(SHQ, HQ)
Raw uncompressed data. Data is in ORF format.
This is useful for ordering prints from a photo store.
Raw data
This is unprocessed data which has not been subjected to color conversion or white balance, sharpness and contrast adjustment. Use the OLYMPUS Master software to display the picture data on a computer. You can also view the data with Photoshop software by installing the Plug-in available from the Olympus website. Raw data cannot be displayed using ordinary software, and print reservations cannot be made. Pictures taken with the record mode set to raw data can be edited with this camera. g“Editing still pictures (RAW DATA EDIT/Q/P/REDEYE FIX/BLACK & WHITE/SEPIA)” (P. 92)
3:2
The image aspect ratio is normally 4:3. If the aspect ratio is changed to 3:2, the image can be printed at a photo store without losing the image borders.
Image size
SP-310 SP-350
3072 × 2304 3264 × 2448
3072 × 2048 3264 × 2176
F4.0
1/200
HQ
Monitor display when
×
3:2 is set
2176
0.0
443264
2
Tips before you start taking pictures
27
Record mode

Movie record modes

Movies are recorded in Motion-JPEG format.
Number of storable still pictures/remaining
2
recording time
For still pictures (SP-310)
Number of storable still pictures
Record
mode
RAW 3072 × 2304 2 2 12 12
SHQ
HQ
Tips before you start taking pictures
SQ1
SQ2
Image size
3072 × 2304 5 5 24 24
3072 × 2048 5 5 27 27
3:2
3072×2304 14157173
3072×2048 16178082
3:2
2592 × 1944
2288 × 1712
2048 × 1536
1600 × 1200
1280 × 960
1024 × 768
640 × 480
HIGH 7 7 34 34
NORMAL 20 21 99 102
HIGH 9 9 44 44
NORMAL 26 27 126 130
HIGH 11 11 54 55
NORMAL 32 33 156 162
HIGH 18 18 88 90
NORMAL 50 53 241 257
HIGH 28 29 135 140
NORMAL 75 82 362 399
HIGH 42 44 204 215
NORMAL 110 127 532 614
HIGH 97 110 469 532
NORMAL 207 276 997 1330
Internal memory
With
sound
Without
sound
Using a 128 MB
card
With
sound
Without
sound
28
Record mode
For still pictures (SP-350)
Number of storable still pictures
Record
mode
RAW 3264 × 2448 2 2 10 10
SHQ
HQ
SQ1
SQ2
Image size
3264 × 2448 4 4 22 22
3264 × 2176 5 5 24 24
3:2
3264×2448 13136364
3264×2176 14157172
3:2
2592 × 1944
2288 × 1712
2048 × 1536
1600 × 1200
1280 × 960
1024 × 768
640 × 480
HIGH 7 7 36 37
NORMAL 20 21 99 102
HIGH 9 9 44 44
NORMAL 26 27 126 130
HIGH 11 11 54 55
NORMAL 32 33 156 162
HIGH 18 18 88 90
NORMAL 50 53 241 257
HIGH 28 29 135 140
NORMAL 75 82 362 399
HIGH 42 44 204 215
NORMAL 110 127 532 614
HIGH 97 110 469 532
NORMAL 207 276 997 1330
Internal memory
With
sound
Without
sound
Using a 128 MB
card
With
sound
Without
sound
2
Tips before you start taking pictures
29
Record mode
1600
1200
SQ1
F4.0
1/200
0.0
00:36
HQ
0.0
For movies
Remaining recording time
Record mode Image size
2
SHQ
HQ
SQ1
SQ2
1/200
Tips before you start taking pictures
SQ1
Number of storable still pictures
640 × 480
(30 frames/sec.)
640 × 480
(15 frames/sec.)
320 × 240
(30 frames/sec.)
320 × 240
(15 frames/sec.)
F4.0
1200
×
Internal memory Using a 128 MB card
With
sound
14 sec. 14 sec.
29 sec. 29 sec.
39 sec. 40 sec.
1 min.
18 sec.
0.0
441600
Without
sound
1 min.
20 sec.
HQ
Remaining recording time
TIPS
• When a picture is transferred to a computer, the size of the picture on the computer screen varies depending on the computer’s monitor setting. For instance, a picture taken with an image size of 1,024 × 768 fills the screen if you set the picture to 1× when the monitor setting is 1,024 × 768. However, if the monitor setting is over 1,024 × 768 (such as 1,280 × 1,024), the picture only takes up part of the screen.
With
sound
1 min.
10 sec.
2 min.
20 sec.
3 min.
10 sec.
6 min.
15 sec.
0.0
00:36
00:36
Without
sound
1 min.
10 sec.
2 min.
21 sec.
3 min.
13 sec.
6 min.
26 sec.
Note
• The number of storable still pictures and remaining recording time listed in the tables are approximate.
• The number of storable still pictures may change according to the subject or factors like whether print reservations or album entries have been made or not. In certain instances, the number of remaining pictures does not change even when you take new pictures or erase stored pictures.
30
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